Los Angeles Auto Show 2013: Honda FCEV

Honda has unveiled a new fuel cell vehicle, the FCEV, at the 2013 LA Auto Show

Honda is consolidating its position as a leading maker of fuel-cell vehicles with the reveal of a concept called the FCEV at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Insiders tell us the concept is a pretty close snap shot of what will be on sale in 2015. There’s a new fuel cell stack, which is claimed to be 33 per cent smaller and have 60 per cent more power density than Honda’s current example in the FCX Clarity.

The FCEV also has the powertrain mounted under the bonnet, so it could conceivably be used in other more conventional models. It uses, for the first time, 10,000psi gaseous hydrogen fuel – Honda has previously only used 5,000psi tanks – and the range is quoted at 300 miles for this five-seat car.

Tetsuo Iwamura, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co, said: “The Honda FCEV Concept hints at Honda’s future direction for fuel-cell vehicles. While this car is a concept, it points toward a very real future."